6 Mistakes You're Making Buying a Bra

It may seem simple, but lots of women get it wrong.

1. Choosing too large a band sizeProper fit is the biggie when it comes to finding the right bra  and something lots of women need help with. "The most common mistake women make is buying a band size that is too large and a cup size that is too small," Holly Fowler, Bra Fit Expert at FigLeaves.com, told Good Housekeeping (more about that cup size later). She says that in testing done by FigLeaves, one of the most common "fit corrections" was to go down one band size. "If your band is too loose, the bra will not be giving you the correct support and lift, and the straps will dig into your shoulders."

2. Choosing too small a cup sizeWomen commonly choose bras that are three whole cup sizes too small for them, according to FigLeaves testing. "Don't worry about how high up in the alphabet your cup might be going," Fowler advises. "The A-through-D system is more than 70 years old and not realistic to today's standards. You wouldn't still use a telephone that's that old!" A larger cup size ensures that all of the side tissue is scooped into the bra and helps you avoid spillage and unattractive lumps and bumps. "If the cup size is not correct, there could be puckering or the dreaded 'quad-boob,'" says Fowler. That is definitely something we don't want.

3. Getting stuck in a style rutLike we do with a good pair of jeans, women tend to find a bra they like and stick to it  often for many years. To keep up with our constantly changing bodies, it's important to try new bra styles, textiles, and cuts. T-shirt bras, for example, are great, but lace can actually be just as (and sometimes more) supportive as a molded cup  and nowadays, they're often made so they look seamless under your clothes. Try on everything from pushups to demi-cups and see what really works for your body. "Often, brands are sized slightly differently from each other, so if you find that a new brand you're trying 'doesn't fit,' try a different size," Fowler suggests.

4. Not getting fitted often enoughBra experts recommend getting fitted every six months. If your body has been changing as a result of something like weight loss or pregnancy, that's definitely a good reason to get a proper fitting.

5. Not considering the rest of your body when choosing a braFowler says you should consider these body-specific tips:

If you have narrow shoulders, try cross-back or multiway styles.

If you have a broad back, you may prefer balcony shapes.

If your breasts are wide-set, try a low-cut balcony shape.

If your breasts are close-set, try a plunge or push-up shape.

If you have one breast larger than the other, try a T-shirt bra with a pad in the cup for your smaller breast. Always fit a bra to your fuller breast.

If you have lost tone in your breasts from breast-feeding, look for balcony styles with slight padding that will give you shape and support.

6. Not asking for helpIt can be incredibly frustrating to shop for a bra without any help: Where to start? Bra experts are there to help you and make your life easier. So make use of them! Ask to get a fitting and let them help you pick styles that will work for your body. It's a free service that will save you tons of time.

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